Starfield was the opening act, and featured many songs off of their brand new release CD Tumbling After. They have changed so much ever since they started on the scene 4 years ago. Their awesome stage presence is a given and they are always comfortable with the crowd. This tour was nicknamed the Mennonite tour because of the two Neufeld brothers (Tim and Jon) in Starfield, and the three Penner brothers (Toby, Josh, and Marty) in Jake. If you don't have their CD, please go pick it up or order it online at www.starfieldonline.com. Their second song on their CD, Filled with your Glory is quiet a powerful song, especially when performed in concert. Everything about his band shines. To close off all of their sets, they tell the story of how all of the guys up there on the stage (Mike on bass, and Adrian on drums) all have grown up in barber shop quartet families.. in fact Adrian's is touring Europe right now! They ended with a curious bang-on job of a barber quartet song, telling people how to support them and their merchandise.

In the middle of all three concerts, was the spot for World Vision. Both bands are sponsored by World Vision and Tim did an excellent job at explaining the wonderful mission of World Vision. Many people died in the 911 tradegy (3,000), and if you times that by anywhere from 7 to 10), then you have the amount of children that die of starvation each day. I was one of the lucky volunteers that got to help out at the World Vision table, helping people to sponsor kids for $31 a month, plus many were given a free Starfield and Jake CD for signing up! In total we had over 40 kids get sponsored.

After that came a music video came onto the wall, which was Jake's Army of Love (you can see it too on their interactive CD Army of Love). Those boys have sure improved from when I first saw them, almost two years ago at YE 2001 in Providence College. Their casual banter on the stage showed their growing ease and maturity with the crowd. One of the more hilarious spots, was when Zooks, the drummer, came onstage with a giant blue puppet on his head. He looked like someone from the Muppet Show. They played a multitude of songs both from their first and second album, as well as for the second concert in Steinbach, we all had a crazy time learning how to line dance with Marty. They also covered one of their favourite bands, Jimmy Eat World, with the song The Middle (featuring that crazy familiar intro). The Brandon crowd was given a special treat for the accoustic set, when Marty, Josh, and Zooks grabbed stools, while Toby sat on the ledge of the stage to give the adoring fans a more upclose and personal view of Jake. I'm surprised Toby was able to concentrate with all those camera flashes going off.

For the Steinbach shows at Steinbach Bible College, the first one on Friday October 4th was totally sold out with the capacity looking at about 500 people, while the Saturday show was around 250 people. From a fan's point of view, the Saturday show was much more enjoyable, with the "Jake Zone" (the area between the stage and the seats) being extremely less crowded, in fact the band had to call people up to the front of the stage. It was as if there was this large gap between the seats and the stage, sort of like the parting of the Red Sea. The show on Saturday had many extra songs, including the phenomenal "Beyond this Door" by Starfield, and included Jake pulling people on stage for some of their songs. At the end, all of the bands and crew got on stage and sang Edelweiss, from the musical Sound of Music, which brought back memories of us singing "The Hills Are Alive" on Thursday night while doing tear down and packing up. I just don't know what it is about Mennonites and the Sound of Music.. maybe we all came from Austria.

It will be interesting to find out what happens to both bands, as Jake cannot sell merchandise in the States, due to conflicts with their name, so touring there is not possible, if limited. Starfield on the other hand are more than on their way to becoming big, whatever that shall entitle... more tours, more labels that are interested in them, or perhaps a geographical move for them as well. All these guys were more than happy to stay after to sign autographs, ranging from posters, cds, tickets, a cast, and a various aray of hands and arms. Many hugs were given, as well as cameras were flashing non stop. Hopefully no matter what both bands decide to do, their fans will stick with them and ultimately stay faithful.

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Alyssa has been a DJ on 101.5 UMFM for 4 years on Righteous Radio http://lwww.righteousradio.com, as well as DJing at Galaxy Skate Rink for a year. She also is involved in the local Christian music scene of Winnipeg, as well as has her BA and Diploma in Multimedia Design and Communication. For more info go to http://www.trinity003.com